A GoUpstate Blog

Partners for Active Living transforms Spartanburg County

My challenge to and plea for all of us – yield to pedestrians!…But beyond that, if pedestrians feel safe, comfortable, and encouraged in our downtown, then they will walk more and more will walk. And more walking means more energy; it means more people passing shops and hopefully stopping to spend their money; it means more people wanting to bring their families into the heart of our community; it means a better environment.… Read More »

This morning, as I was walking down the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail to work, I found myself reflecting over the place I live vs. the places I have been and the question in my head has transformed into, “you would SERIOUSLY even think about moving anywhere else?” I love where I live. It is my little slice of Heaven.… Read More »

We have almost endless trails for me to lose myself on riding my mountain bike, beautiful parks to relax in, and some of the best restaurants in the state. I began to appreciate what I had left behind, and when the opportunity to move back presented itself back home I came. I couldn’t be happier that I did.… Read More »

Little did I know that the opportunity came with the chance to work in an energetic and evolving small city.

From my work base, I can walk to the library, the Coffee Bar, the book shop, restaurants, United Way offices, shops, salons, the community college, the mini-putt course, pocket parks, Wednesday downtown farmers’ market – all in less than 20 minutes. I have worked in downtown areas before and I have never had so many options. … Read More »

About This Blog

By Liz Perry, Food Finances Specialist at Partners for Active Living

I arrived in Spartanburg in late June as an incoming AmeriCorps VISTA. To me Spartanburg meant Milliken since in my previous life I worked in the textile industry. When the opportunity to serve as a VISTA at Partners for Active Living arose, I was happy to accept. Little did I know that the opportunity came with the chance to work in an energetic and evolving small city.

From my work base, I can walk to the library, the Coffee Bar, the book shop, restaurants, United Way offices, shops, salons, the community college, the mini-putt course, pocket parks, Wednesday downtown farmers’ market – all in less than 20 minutes. I have worked in downtown areas before and I have never had so many options. Rarely did I venture out in downtown Winston-Salem or Greensboro because there just wasn’t enough to draw me outside. Since working here at PAL, I’ve wanted to get out every day and hit the sidewalk. I’m very lucky to be working for an organization that encourages me to follow those impulses and join the daily parade of diverse folks walking, strolling, and biking by the PAL office on South Spring Street.

As I travel around town, it seems like bike riders are everywhere in the area. From folks taking leisurely BCycle tours, to workers on their way to their jobs and college students on their way to school, to dedicated long distance cyclists, Spartanburg really is a Bike Town. Partners for Active Living gets so many calls and visits from those who want to rent a Hub cycle or buy a BCycle pass. It is inspiring to see these programs in action. I am grateful to be a part of such an active and vibrant community.